Jensen Mayberry provides the Lions with a physical run-stopper in the middle of their defense and will be paramount in protecting Sterling Somers and opening up holes in the run game.
Evan Abell
The Bellingham Herald

Jensen Mayberry provides the Lions with a physical run-stopper in the middle of their defense and will be paramount in protecting Sterling Somers and opening up holes in the run game.
Evan Abell
The Bellingham Herald

Desire central to Lynden’s ability to reach Tacoma Dome again

That’s been the Lynden way while establishing one of Washington’s most impressive prep football dynasties.

Curt Kramme’s teams develop at their own pace. Sometimes he knows exactly what his depth chart will look like in Week 1. Other times the first few games are needed in order to decipher who his real players are.

The Lions are talent-rich again. But after graduating another strong class, the Lynden coach will need some time before unearthing the next set of standouts.

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“The biggest thing is that the guys that are brand new starters are going to have to play well,” Kramme said. “Question marks, which you have every year, is how are those guys going to play?”

Lynden’s ability to reload has been tremendous, but beyond getting new players adjusted to varsity play, Kramme said success will ultimately boil down to his team’s desire.

And there should be plenty after, for the first time in three seasons, the Lions enter a season following a loss — a 42-13 defeat to Sedro-Woolley during the Class 2A state championship game.

The Lions return a number of key players from last year’s state team, including standout quarterback Sterling Somers.

“I like what Sterling has done in the offseason,” Kramme said. “He appears to have developed a little extra burst of speed.”

Somers, who will be a three year starter, won’t have two of his top targets from last season but brings back all-state receiver Jordan Wittenberg. Noah King is expected to help fill the void at receiver and could be poised for a breakout season.

With no more Trent Postma, Lynden is expected to turn to a committee of running backs that includes Brody Weinheimer, Nui Labat-Alconcel, Dalton Ohligschlager and Ben Colwell.

Along the line, Caden Lair, Jensen Mayberry and Tanner Steele return. They’ll be joined by newcomers Ed Andrews, Brennan Roebuck and Trey LaBounty.

Lynden returns a good portion of its 2014 defense.

The Lions’ secondary, headlined by Wittenberg at cornerback, might be the team’s deepest positional grouping. King and Drew Krause are expected to start at safety, and Landon DeBruin, Grant Scarlett and Connor Shine could all see playing time.

Mayberry, Weinheimer and Ohligschlager should form a strong linebacking corps, and Davis Bode, Colwell, Labat-Alconcel, Nathan Gomes, Andy Herrera, Travis VanZanten and Tyus Wilson should see time along the defensive front.

Key numbers

6

Offensive starters from 2014 returning for Lynden in 2015.

7

Defensive starters from 2014 returning for Lynden in 2015.

45

Touchdowns returning QB Sterling Somers accounted for in 2014.

9

Consecutive seasons Lynden has recorded 10 or more wins.

Players to watch

JENSEN MAYBERRY

Lynden, Sr., OL/LB

Mayberry provides the Lions with a physical run-stopper in the middle of their defense and will be paramount in protecting Sterling Somers and opening up holes in the run game.

STERLING SOMERS

Lynden, Sr., QB

Somers is a winner and owns the best arm in the Northwest Conference. He gives Kramme everything a coach would want in an ideal prep QB.

JORDAN WITTENBERG

Lynden, Sr., WR/CB

Besides being arguably one of the best pass-catchers in the state, he gives the Lions an athletic, lockdown cornerback.

CADEN LAIR

Lynden, Sr., OL/DE

Lair started both ways for the Lions last fall, and with another offseason out of the way, expect him to have an even better year.

Three keys to 2015

1. HOW BAD DO THEY WANT IT?

Coach Curt Kramme made it clear that desire will be the determinant factor of whether or not the Lions again enjoy success. There should be plenty after suffering a tough title game loss to end the year.

2. ACCLIMATE QUICKLY

Every year the Lions introduce new starters into the fold, but the ability of this year’s new faces to adjust quickly to varsity play will be imperative, Kramme said.

3. FUN RUN

Lynden’s offensive attack will be dictated by defensive looks, but outside of Somers, the Lions struggled running the football during last year’s postseason. With a remade backfield, running the rock to balance out the pass attack will be crucial.

Projection

There’s really no reason to believe the Lions won’t again be one of the state’s premier teams. Lynden returns playmakers at key positions and should be good along the front. Expect lesser-known players such as Brody Weinheimer, Noah King and Drew Krause to have big years.